Counseling with Authority

In droves, Americans turn their televisions to hear popular entertainers like Dr. Phil McGraw and Oprah Winfrey, or tune their radios to listen to hosts like Dr. Laura Schlessinger. These people provide much commentary on life and inject their thoughts about how you should live. For their efforts, each of them has made a fortune. Notwithstanding the popular attraction to the world, why listen to Dr. Phil, Oprah, or Dr. Laura for answers concerning your life’s deepest questions? None of them use the majority of their television time for the purpose of presenting the Word of God and showing how they rely exclusively upon the Word of God to make life’s greatest decisions. In short, they have not risen to fame because they are unequivocally proclaiming the Word of God, but rather because they can attract and maintain a large audience among Americans. Apparently, some church groups have invited Dr. Laura to speak to them. She talks about morality, but has denied that Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life. Likewise, she denies that no one comes to the Father, except through Jesus Christ. When churches invite her to speak, they must think that Jesus would ask Nicodemus for spiritual advice. The gospel of Hollywood and secular talk shows will always rely upon the flesh for answers and deceive many people. Sometimes they will write books about God, or do a program on God, and people will listen. Yet, in many ways, their programs could be hosted by Nicodemus. But remember that Jesus told Nicodemus, a devout Jew and teacher of Israel, that Nicodemus would never see or enter the kingdom of God until he had been born of the Spirit of God. Without being born again, Jesus said you likewise will perish. Many people offer all kinds of advice for living on television, in books, websites, and videos. Many proclaim scientific research supports their approach to counseling, and others rely upon good old common sense, or their own training and experience. More than likely you have heard a “Christian Psychologist” speak at a church, or give a seminar somewhere, or read a book on the subject. Well, take a moment and ask the simple question, “By what authority are they telling me how to act?”

I am going to use the term “authority” to mean the ultimate source for decision-making. For the Christian Counselor, that ultimate source will always be God. God exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In compound unity, the Divine Persons exist as One God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit will all be involved in the decisions you make as a Christian Counselor. They speak directly to your heart through the Word of God, the Bible.

You must be a student of the Word of God to learn more about being a Christian Counselor. You will never be a better student of the Word of God than to the degree that you love God and love your neighbor. I want to emphasize that study and practice, particularly, love, must go hand in hand in Christian Counseling.

Key Concepts

Authority and God’s Word

Understanding God’s Word

Sharing God’s Word

Love Acts

So, ask me, “By what authority are you telling me how to counsel my friends?” I answer: “Let us turn to God’s Word, the revelation of God, for all truths for spiritual living and spiritual counseling.” We must become devoted students of the Bible, the whole Bible. Remember that God lives, and He uses His Word to shape lives everyday.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is inspired by God

and profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction,

for training in righteousness;

so that the man of God may be

adequate, equipped for

every good work.”

The Scripture consists of the the thirty nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty seven books of the New Testament. God has breathed His revelation into those Books so that they are without error in the original manuscripts. Because God breathed the words in each Book, the inspiration came directly from God through the writer and onto the written page. Each writer wrote in their own vocabulary and used his own syntax, but the product God guaranteed to be without error. Furthermore, each Book derives its authority and canonicity from God, and not because some church council or church father accepted it as inspired. God breathed the text (“θεόπνευστος, theopneustos“), and therefore it is verbally inspired the moment the author recorded the revelation.

The text of the Bible provides all the guidance we need for every good work in life. God has called us to walk in His works. He prepared those works before hand, just so we can glorify Him by doing His works. The Word of God, in both Old and New Testaments, discloses God’s will for our lives. Because those books have been fully and completely breathed by God, we can rely upon every word they contain as fully authoritative. We must be careful to interpret the Bible carefully, for even Satan quoted the Bible to serve his own purposes. Notice that this verse outlines the different ways that God uses the Bible in our lives.

Profitable. This Greek word, “profitable” (ὠφέλιμος, ophelimos), means useful or beneficial. God intends His word to benefit Christians. In this context, God describes the ways His word can be used by Christians for His benefit.

Teaching. The next word, “teaching” (“διδασκαλίαν, didaskalian“), focuses upon the impartation of knowledge, and in this case, divine knowledge. As Christian counselors, we turn to the Word of God for knowledge that will be invaluable to providing a course for Christian counseling. We no longer need television personalities, or secular professionals, for knowledge provided by the Word of God. I heard a famous theologian tell his students: “I am glad you say you have the gift of teaching; I pray that you also have the gift of study.” He meant that you must study before you teach. Likewise, you must study before your counsel. When you hold in your hands the Word of God, why turn to television or radio personalities for direction in your life? Because they have entertaining shows and talk about real problems? Instead of taking the time to watch or listen to them, why not study the Word of God during that same block of time regarding your problem. You will need to master a few basic tools for Bible study, but they will enrich your life and counseling in ways you cannot fully appreciate until you study the Word of God for yourself. In the next chapter, we will introduce you to basic Bible study techniques.

Reproof. The second profitable use of the Word of God will be for “reproof” (“ἐλεγμόν, elegmon“). This word occurs only here in the New Testament. In the OId Testament, God uses “reproof” (“תּוֹכַחַת, tokachath“) to describe the words spoken against evil behavior, often as a warning. The words of reproof bring to awareness your evil behavior, and provide an opportunity to confess and forsake your sin. Parents offer reproof to their child so that the child will avoid bad behavior in the future. I know many parents who will not reprove their children because they do not want to “lose their love.” I know many adults who, for fear of confrontation, will never offer reproof, no matter how close the friend or how awful the behavior. For the wise, reproof can be especially valuable when you have not understood the full scope of your sin, or you have not felt convicted before God about your behavior. When coupled with the Word of God, and what it says about your behavior, reproof can be especially valuable. On the other hand, your attitude towards reproof will affect greatly whether people will offer you helpful reproof. If you hate reproof, then you are stupid (Proverbs 12:1), and such hatred leads to death (Proverbs 15:10). The Proverbs also provide a contrast between the person who hates himself and despises discipline with the person who accepts reproof and acquires understanding (Proverbs 15:32). When someone tells you that you are doing something wrong, how do you react? Anger, outrage, evil impulse to retaliate? The wise person will continually evaluate the reproof, compare it with Scripture, and then ponder his own behavior. Maybe God sent that person to you to offer reproof. I remember King David listening to Nathan the Prophet. Using an analogy, Nathan reproved David for his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittitite. Read the story in 2 Samuel 11-12 and consider David’s response. Instead of trying to kill the prophet, as so many kings did when God reproved their behavior, David listened, turned from evil, and confessed his sin to God. He received reproof well. Review Psalm 51 in that context. In the New Testament, reproof must be given to false teachers and anyone spreading false doctrine (for example, Titus 1:9, 13; 2:15).

The Christian counselor must use the Word of God to warn people away from evil behavior and toward practicing righteousness. The Christian counselor must be careful to reprove evil behavior. Be very cautious of any reproof not founded directly upon the Word of God. Many people will try to reprove other Christians for behavior they dislike, but the dislike arises from personal preference and not the Word of God. Be very careful that every reproof you offer as Christian counselor rests squarely upon the Word of God and not personal preference. Your feelings, experience, and personal preferences are not authoritative and never can be authoritative. Trust the Word of God for reproof in spiritual matters.

Correction. The spiritual man will also profit by correction (“ἐπανόρθωσιν, epanorthōsin“) from the Word of God. Correction carries the idea of restoring to the right path. In contrast to reproof which warns you are on the wrong path and doing the wrong thing, correction helps you follow the right path and to get back on the right track. It should be offered in gentleness, with a view toward restoring the sinful brother (Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:25).

In the Book of Galatians, Paul provides a good example of reproof and correction in how he dealt with Peter the apostle. Peter came from Jerusalem to Antioch to see the conversion of the Gentiles. While there, Peter ate with Gentiles, even though Jews under the law of the Old Testament did not eat with them. But then other men arrived from Jerusalem and Peter changed his behavior and started acting like he was back under the law of the Old Testament. Paul explained that Peter had been carried away with sin and Paul rebuked him publicly for his hypocrisy. In some cases, the doctrine you practice drastically affects your spiritual life. If you want to be enslaved again to life under the law, then you oppose the freedom provided by the grace of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, and rose again, He fulfilled the law and redeemed believers so that they would become adopted into the family of God, with the benefits of being an heir with Christ Jesus. So when anyone preached or acted that you must live under the law, Paul knew that such actions destroyed the freedom from the law brought by Jesus dying on the cross and rising again to life in the Holy Spirit. In a spirit of humility, Paul opposed Peter and corrected his behavior (Galatians 2:11-21).

Training in Righteousness. Paul joins two ideas here to finish the revelation of how the Word of God profits the believer. First, Paul hones in on “training” (“παιδείαν, paideian“). Training in the New Testament meant developing the mind and morals of a person, often a child. We start out in Christ as spiritual children. Through the Word of God, Christ develops our spiritual life to conform to His will. In the process, we put on the mind of Christ, and follow His commandments. Do not misunderstand. We do not go back to living under the Old Testament law, but rather we love God and our neighbors by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

Paul links training to “righteousness” (“δικαιοσύνῃ, dikaiosunē“). The Word of God profits us by training us in righteousness. God commands us to walk uprightly, and to behave correctly. In a legal sense, righteousness refers to God declaring us righteous so that the integrity and innocence of Jesus have been deposited into our personal accounts. God then uses His Word to make those declarations consistent with our practice in life. Judicially, God has convicted me of sin and sentenced me to death because I sinned. In the Supreme Court of God, the evidence was overwhelming that I was a sinner. On the merits, I lost the trial on my guilt and innocence. Guilty as charged.

The trial then proceeded to the penalty phase. During the penalty phase, Jesus stepped forward and pleaded my case as my personal lawyer. He proved that He died on the cross for my sins, and so paid the penalty completely. I should have suffered the penalty of my sins and died. But Jesus substituted Himself for me and paid for me. Therefore, God declared me righteous, because Christ gave me His righteousness and credited it to my account forever. I walked out of the Supreme Court of God free forever because Christ had set me free and no one could dispute that all my spiritual crimes have been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. I can never be tried for my crimes of sin again because heaven disdains double jeopardy.

When you were born again, you received a birth certificate of righteousness. Legally, it describes who you are and what you are. You are like Jesus in the eyes of God. Yet, you still need training every day to become more like Jesus in the way you live. You are a righteous child of God by adoption into His family through Christ. But you are also learning to live a righteous life under His daily guidance from the Word of God. We live in awe of the righteousness of God within us, and love Him all the more for the price He paid for us.

Adequate. God wants you to be “adequate” (“ἄρτιος,artios“), which means qualified, ready, and perfectly fit for life. Therefore, He provided the Word of God to you. It makes you qualified, ready, and fit. Have you ever had a teacher tell you to just do the problem or write the paper? But, you really do not understand how to do it. The teacher has not provided you with the training so that you can perform the task. But God has already provided you with the Word of God so that He can use His Word in your life to make you perfectly ready to do His will. Using the Word of God, you can meet every challenge and never have to worry about whether you are qualified to share God’s love with others. When you stand upon the Word of God, then you do not doubt God’s ability to use you to His glory. In every area of your life, He will cause you to prosper like a tree planted by streams of water.

Man of God. Did you know that Satan quoted the Bible to Jesus to tempt Him to sin? Satan still uses the Bible to mislead people. Peter warned that the untaught and unstable distort the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:14-16). Try to imagine the scope of this promise. God uses His Word to make every believer (the term “man” here includes women) adequate for the job of teaching, reproving, correcting, and training. He did not make those promises to just pastors, teachers, or evangelists. He made that promise to you. God uses the Word of God to train and equip you. On the strength of God’s Word, you can counsel your friends.

Equipped. God uses His Word so that you may be thoroughly “equipped” (“ἐξηρτισμένος, exērtismenos“) for every good work. As you can see from the context, the Word of God provides the means to equip you for every good work. The Bible proclaims that we have been “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). This verse tells us that the source for walking in good works will be the Word of God. God uses it for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. It thoroughly equips us for Christian counseling.

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Ministry

Welcome to Christ Assembly. As born-again believers, baptized by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, we love to glorify God through the study and application of His Word, the Bible. As we study the Bible, we seek to know God better, and to introduce others to the loving salvation of Jesus Christ received by faith alone.

We value the spiritual gifts bestowed upon every born-again Christian and seek to equip them for the work of service for Christ Jesus. Only through every saint using the spiritual gift(s) bestowed upon them will the body of Jesus Christ reach spiritual maturity and avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine. May God have all the glory, always.
HALLELUJAH !

Spiritual Help

Peace with God

People often ask me about how they can find spiritual peace. They tell me about their serious illness, divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, and many other problems that grieve them. So many people share with me that they have never felt truly loved in their entire life, even though they have been married for decades, and have grandchildren. So many people feel a spiritual hunger and thirst within themselves. Jesus loves people and wants you to know all about His great love. He called it the greatest news anyone will ever hear. So, let me share with you about Jesus, Who loves you today. In Jesus, you can receive peace with God today. Jesus alone provides spiritual peace.

Romans 10:9

"Jesus asks you: 'Why should I let you into My heaven?'"

Let me start with a question. Imagine you were to die today, and stand before Jesus Christ. Imagine further that Jesus looked at you and asked: "Why should I let you into My heaven?"
Take a moment and think about what you would say to Jesus. I have personally asked that question to hundreds and hundreds of people, if not thousands, one person at a time. Jesus always deals personally with you. He knows your name, and loves you personally. Jesus knows your good points and your bad points.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

As God in the flesh, Jesus totally understands who we are as sinners. Sinners fall short of the glory of God. Sin separates us from spiritual peace with God today. In God's eyes, we all fall short of the glory of God. We do not act perfectly all of the time and so fall short of His glory. We tell lies, we think impure thoughts, we do things we know we should not have done. The road to peace with God starts with understanding that we all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. As sinners, we tend to hide our sins in darkness, but Jesus helps us recognize that we are sinners and need to come into the light of God. We take the first steps down the path of peace with God by agreeing with God that we are sinners. God helps us walk down the path of peace with God by His divine power. Only by God's power can I change my mind and accept the truth that I am a sinner. I must repent of my sin and seek God's forgiveness for my sin. How do I find forgiveness?

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus, the Son of God, offers forgiveness to sinners as a gift. In order to have peace with God, we must receive God's gift of forgiveness. Before we can grasp God's offer of forgiveness, we must understand God's justice and how it works. God tells us that justice imposes a penalty upon sin. God said that the wages of sin is death. Just as we earn wages for our work, so sin earns the wage of death. This spiritual death results from us sinning and falling short of the glory of God. God cannot remain just, and simply ignore our sin. Justice requires that every sin be paid by the death penalty. You have sinned so you deserve to die spiritually. Sin causes the spiritual death of the sinner. Now let us focus upon the gift of God: forgiveness. As a sinner, deserving death, I really do not deserve a gift of eternal life. Instead of death, God wants me to have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yet, my sin blocks me from having eternal life . To sinners God loves to give the free gift of eternal life. Although I have earned the death penalty by sinning, God offers me eternal life as a free Christmas gift. I cannot earn the gift of eternal life, and I do not deserve the gift of eternal life. God just wants me to have His gift of eternal life. God purchased the gift of eternal life, just for me, the sinner. Why would God give me gift of eternal life?

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God gives the free gift of eternal life to sinners because God loves sinners like me. The road to peace with God means that I learn and accept that God loves sinners. Jesus came to love sinners. While I was a sinner, God loved me. So many people think that God hates sinners, but God tells us just the opposite right in this verse. I do not have to clean up my life before God will love me. God loves sinners. God gives the gift of eternal life to sinners, not to perfect people. You see, the gift of eternal life means that I believe that Jesus as God died for me on the cross. I recognize that I deserve the death penalty because I sinned, but Jesus took my place on the cross and died for all my sin. He satisfied God's justice by paying the death penalty for me. God now offers me a free gift of eternal life, because Jesus loves sinners, and gave His life to die on the cross to pay for all my sins. Jesus demonstrated God's love for sinners. How do I accept the free gift of God?

Romans 10:9

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

You accept the free gift of God by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. We believe that God told us the truth that we fall short of the glory of God because we are sinners. Wonderfully, God loves sinners just like me. God purchased the gift of eternal life for me. I reach out by faith alone to accept the free gift from God. I believe that God sent Jesus as God in the flesh to die for me on the cross. Jesus paid the death penalty for me. Jesus satisfied the justice of God. New life in Jesus Christ begins with faith and continues for eternity. You can accept the free gift of eternal life right now, no matter where you are. Pray this prayer of faith.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and fall short of the glory of God.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I deserve the death penalty. I repent of my sins.

Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross in my place, because You loved me and paid the death penalty for me.

Lord Jesus, I confess you as Lord of my life.

Lord Jesus, I believe that God raised You from the dead. I accept right now Your gift of forgiveness for all my sins, and thank You for saving me.

Amen.

If you prayed that prayer in faith, please send me an email through the contact box below. I look forward to getting to know you and help you walk daily with Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit of God comes into our lives and makes us new creations. You have an abundant life in front of you, filled with joy and peace with God. We must learn from Jesus, and He is humble and gentle with us.